Duncan Browne

Dennis Greene believes Slovakian stopper Henrich Ravas has all the characteristics needed to become the Pilgrims’ new Max Stryjek.

The lanky Peterborough United goalkeeper - who turns 18 next month - kept a clean sheet as he turned out for Boston United in their Lincolnshire Senior Cup contest against Lincoln City this afternoon.

Ravas - who has recently been called up to his nation’s under 19s squad - could do nothing as Boston were beaten 4-1 on penalties by the Red Imps, but some safe handling and a superb fingertipped save to deny striker Matt Rhead gave Greene glimpses of what he could offer.

And his eccentricities in and around his box has left the United boss likening him to Polish youth international Stryjek, who played an undefeated 12 times on loan from Premier League Sunderland last season.

“He’s sort of like another Max in a sense - a mad, crazy Slovakian,” Greene said, praising the trialist.

“We had a mad Polish one last year.

“He’s 6ft 4 ins and he’s going to be pretty eccentric.

“It was a good test for him but he’s dealt with it, clawed things away and he get his fingers on it.”

Ravas turned out for Boston as the club weigh up the option of taking him on loan from the Posh, similar to the deal which has seen Jack Friend link up at the Jakemans Stadium.

And his willingness to make prompt decisions also earned him the thumbs up from the dug-out.

“I like that, they (Ravas and Stryjek) take a bit of risk.

“He’s come out his box a couple of times and cleared things, he’s willing to take a risk.

“I like that about goalkeepers, when they’re staying on the line and the backline’s been broken (it allows the opposition to) just pass it into an empty goal.

“I don’t mind people taking that risk to clear the danger.

“He’s very professional and ambitious. He’s got a lot of similarities.”

Greene swooped for the keeper after trialist Matt Urwin turned down the contract offer made to him by the Pilgrims.

However, the deal may not be dead in the water.

Greene added: “Matt might have missed an opportunity.

“We offered him a deal which he hasn’t accepted at this stage.

“We’re still negotiating, obviously finances are tight here and we can only do certain things.

“What we offered him initially wasn’t accepted, so I’ll have to speak with him again.

“We have to look at other options, we can’t just wait for him to say ‘yes’. You snooze, you lose.

“He might come back and agree something or I might decide we need to go down another route. Either way you have to have back up.”

Meanwhile, Greene has confirmed that contracted keeper Sam Vince will join Holbeach United on loan, probably for a three-month period, to get much-needed games under his belt.

And he says the thought of returning to regular action has added a spring to the youngster’s step.

“Holbeach have shown an interest and he’s looked better for it,” Greene added.